[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 74 (Thursday, May 14, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1175]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE HISTORICAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF CATHOLIC SISTERS IN THE UNITED 
                                 STATES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 14, 2009

  Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, as we continue to celebrate Mother's Day 
and the women who have enriched our lives, I would like to recognize a 
group of women who may not receive cards or flowers this week, but who 
act as mothers to the world.
  Regardless of religious affiliation or conviction, Catholic sisters 
have not only nurtured countless hearts, minds, and souls throughout 
our nation's history, but they have played a vital role in shaping 
American life. The humble sacrifices, the heartfelt dedication and the 
tremendous contributions of these women are in earnest need of 
recognition.
  For this reason I have introduced a resolution today honoring the 
historical contributions of Catholic sisters in the United States.
  Since 1727, Catholic sisters have fearlessly and often sacrificially 
committed their personal lives to teaching, healing, and social action. 
Joined in unique forms of intentional communal life dedicated to prayer 
and service, these women have participated in the opening of the West, 
nursed soldiers during the Civil War, and cared for afflicted 
populations during the epidemics of the 19th and early 20th centuries.
  Catholic sisters established the nation's largest private school 
system and founded more than 110 U.S. colleges and universities, 
through which they have educated millions of young Americans.
  Moreover, managing organizations long before such positions were even 
open to women, the bold passion of Catholic sisters established 
hospitals, orphanages, and charitable institutions. They were among the 
first to stand with the underprivileged, to educate or to work among 
the poor and underserved, and to facilitate leadership through 
opportunity and example.
  Since 1980 alone, at least nine American sisters have been martyred. 
Maura Clark, MM, Ita Ford, MM and Dorothy Kazel, OSU were martyred in 
El Salvador in 1980. Joel Kolmer, ASC, Shirley Kolmer, ASC, Kathleen 
McGuire, ASC, Agnes Mueller, ASC and Barbara Ann Muttra, ASC were 
martyred in Liberia in 1992. And, Dorothy Stang, SNDdeN was martyred in 
Brazil in 2005. Despite such a horrifying reality, Catholic sisters 
remain dedicated and courageously spirited.
  Across the globe, Catholic sisters continue to provide shelter, food, 
and basic human needs to the economically or socially disadvantaged and 
advocate relentlessly for the fair and equal treatment of all persons. 
They work for the eradication of poverty and racism and for the 
promotion of nonviolence, equality and democracy both in principle and 
in action. The humanitarian work of Catholic sisters with communities 
in crisis and refuge throughout the world positions them as activists 
and diplomats of peace and justice for those most at risk populations.
  These women have offered so much to the world yet their stories have 
rarely been narrated or honored in our history. Though long overdue, 
the lives, works and legacies of Catholic sisters will finally be 
recounted.
  I am happy to announce that on May 16th, 2009, a traveling exhibit 
called ``Women & Spirit: Catholic Sisters in America'' will open in 
Cincinnati, Ohio. Sponsored by the Leadership Conference of Women 
Religious (LCWR) in association with the Cincinnati Museum Center, it 
will tour multiple cities over the next few years.
  In continued celebration of the women who have shaped our lives and 
cultivated our potential, I stand to recognize the Catholic sisters not 
only for the personal impact they have had within our own lives, but 
for the extraordinary contributions they have made to the history of 
the United States.

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